Being Yourself

I've shared in the past weeks, that I'm job hunting. For a person who has been mostly self-emplyed for almost 14 years--it's not an easy place to be.

Ideally, I'd love to make enough money writing so I didn't have to hit the pavement and want ads but alas, that's isn't possible.

I went on an interview last week and found myself analyzing the character of the interviewer more than the job. With a social service background, and being who I am, it's important that I connect with the person asking the questions.

It's also important that I apply to a job that fits my skills, personality and experience.

Sometimes I'll browse the Internet and find a new place to submit a story. Even though it might not be me, I'll try to write in a style that is totally foreign just to submit.

It rarely works.

As much as I try to change who I am through my writing, the real me keeps wanting to creep back out.

Much like finding a job that fits my needs and personality, I need to write by who I am.

Maybe you've recently tried writing out of your box--how did it work for you?

Dig Deep

A few weeks ago, I was handed the book Battlefield of the Mind to read. It's a devotional with two-paged entries for easier reading.

Well, I got hooked fast because it appears Joyce Meyer was looking in my house when she wrote it.

She writes about negative thoughts.

You know the ones . . . My story stinks, I'll never get published, Who am I kidding anyways? How will I ever find the time to write? . . . Everyone has their own customized list. Sometimes it's buried beneath pages of a manuscript but sooner or later--it'll rise to the top.

But Joyce also shares how to kill off those negative thoughts by replacing them with some positive ones. The ones that tell you everything will be okay, or you have a talent and with hard work might achieve some of those goals.

Are you letting your negative thoughts rise to the top today?

I'm telling myself some news ones lately. . . like working won't interfere with my writing goals. I'm burying my list of negative thoughts deep in the backyard.

Just don't hand me a shovel.

Passing it on

I have been really remiss by not acknowledging the kindness of several bloggers for awarding me this award! With everything going on lately in my life--I haven't had the chance to post it or pass it on and I'm so sorry! I do value being thought of so warmly and am so happy others enjoy what I do here.

I love the blogs I visit and if I could--I'd give it back to all of you. My day starts with your words and encouragement and I've come to call many of you friends.

How would we do our writing without the push and encouragement and help of others? I'm not sure we would move forward as much as we all and for that I am thankful for you all! Have a great day!

Prayer Request

Thanks to the kind help of Sassy Granny who fixed up my resume last week, I have a job interview today. I can write stories but anything more technical is beyond me.

I would appreciate any and all prayers that God would put me in the right place at the right time.

One of the topics we talked about in our writers' group Monday was how to write and work at the same time. I know many of you do that now and that's where the determination comes in.

How badly do I want to write and what will I allow to come in it's way?

I think I went through my grieving period but now I'm excited to see how all of this will work together.

I'm interested in hearing how those of you who work divide your time for writing.

Are you writing with determined joy?

Are you writing with determined joy?

I sttended my monthly writer's group yesterday. About eight of us join each other around a long oak table in the back room of the local library. We've got a system down where we share our monthly successes and goals one-by-one.

Invariably, a writer will admit to not being able to accomplish much of anything.

Life interfered.

Family visited, chores arose, travel plans came up.

But yesterday, that wasn't the worse scenario.

Many of us felt like giving up as writers. Publication is too hard. It costs too much. Our well of ideas has dried up.

Thankfully the reason why we attend writers groups worked.

One man shared how he wrote five books while working full time. Another writer said she carved off a set amount of time for her writing. Another attendee said her husband was her biggest cheerleader. A visitor said giving up wasn't an option because God constantly gives her a shove to do it.

Are you determined to write? But most importantly are you doing it with joy?

I left that meeting once again filled with enough joy and determination to write another month. I hope our online group does the same for you!

This and that

Today is special--I got my first W-2 in the mail for writing!! ( Is that what you call it?) Guess I made enough they had to send me one. Whoo hoo!

And a question for all you bloggers . . . I've noticed that many people answer back after a comment has been posted in their posting underneath. I find that when I leave a comment, I click out and the next time go to the new posting. I don't back to see if there was an answer as then I would never get to anyone else's site.

What works for everyone? Do you prefer I comment back on the posting? I try to email if there is really a big need to answer.

What does that big book of blogger rules say about this one?

The Reunion

I'm attending a reunion tomorrow. My husband returns from his mission trip and I can't wait.

We've been married almost 32 years and have never gone this long without communicating. It makes me wonder how military families survive, or missionaries, or any one who is unable to share their thoughts with the ones they love.

When he left Friday night, I worried that I would never see him again--silly, fearful, ungrounded thoughts but real to me. As the days passed, and I threw myself into chores and friendships, I started to slowly understand why God has allowed this break in our lives--at a time when I thought we needed to be with each other the most.

As I've shared in previous posts, my husband and I are in the midst of climbing a steep mountain and searching for the view at the top. But sometimes the path is overgrown and rocky and it's hard to get a good footing. We've fallen and picked each other up often. Sometimes I've wanted to dig my heels in and give up.

But I think I found my ledge this week. I'm praying he did too.

A challenge

It was interesting to read the many responses to my post on submitting yesterday.

Something I have heard not only here but in my writers group when I ask about sending off an article or story is "I have a few things written but haven't found where to send it yet."

Again--this is my opinion only--I've found that first you find a place and a topic to submit to--then you write the article. Trying to fit a story to a place as is is a bigger challenge. On occasion, for a contest or just because I get lucky, I've been able to use something I've already written. But it usually includes a quick edit or rewrite before I submit.

Having said that--I'm offering a challenge today for those of you who need a little kick, helping hand or slight push.

I'm going to list three random places that take all of about five minutes or less to submit to if you have something already written that you can fix up. Otherwise, it might take a day or so should you have nothing but when I say a day--I mean a few hours with a day to take another look before sending.

1. Chicken Soup They have a book of miracles coming out. I picked this one first not because I like to write for them but because their submission process is soooo easy. A paying market of $200 and 10 free books.

2. Memoir Here's a contest that is so easy and free to submit to also. Everyone can write a short memoir about a significant event in their life. A suggestion--if no word count is listed then stick to about 750 words. It amazes me too how some writers write these long essays and hope they will again fit somewhere. Prizes.

3.JournEzine This is an online site that doesn't pay but they have a list of general topics to choose from for each month. BUT they have a another book coming out soon and they are still taking submissions for that too.

Finally, if you are unsure about something and want another pair of eyes, feel free to email me and I will be happy to help if I can.

So. . . step away from the blogger site and start writing!!

A couple of questions

In my last post, I mentioned getting my stories and articles in tip-top shape before I send them out. What surprised me were some of the comments back. Many of the writers I have met and known for a decent amount of time on here admitted to not submitting anything yet.

I really was shocked. So I'm asking a few questions--I always need to know!

Have you not sent out articles because:
1. You don't know where to submit
2. You don't know how to submit
3. You don't know why you should submit
OR. . . 4. You're afraid to submit


I hope the reason isn't #4 because that is just too sad.

I'd love to hear your reasons for not taking that step and getting your clips built up. Then I'd like to know how I can help.

The Real Deal

I'm not a fan of generic canned goods, but due to the current economic condition in this household, I've taken to buying them. Yesterday, I tried opening a can of potatoes--those little round ones that fry up so easily--and I found I couldn't get the can opener to pierce the top. A few tries later, it finally bit through.

I'm not a fan of generic writing either but do it often.

Do you ever find yourself throwing together an article and sending it off without letting it sit and boil a few days? My first draft lands on the editor's desk---and into the trash.

I've been trying hard this past year to write quality work and not a poor imitation of something it could be, even if it means I send out less.

How's your writing? Are you sending generic or the real deal?

A Shout!

I mentioned last week about some blessings I wanted to share with you. Tonight seems like a great time as my husband is catching a nap.

A few months ago, I mentioned that I had to put my writing skills to the test to set up a website for our new business. Last week, we got our first call about a job from someone who googled us. I was thrilled it worked --even if we don't get the actual work.

Then when I was feeling like I might have to give up my writing and get a job . . . (insert a pity party here) . . . I got an email from a woman asking me to come to her writer's seminar. At first, I was confused as I didn't know where she was from and all. I emailed back and she wrote that she wanted to fly me up as a speaker. I about fell off my chair.

I have never spoken before a large group. I knew I needed to tell her.

It seems she found me from an article I had written about writing fiction. At the time, I had a book under contract. I needed to tell her I no longer did and that my specialty was non-fiction. A few of my friends said don't say no, but I hated for this writers group to get an inexperienced writer.

So I emailed her back and explained how much she had blessed me by asking.

I didn't hear a whisper from God that day but a shout.

Maybe next time I'll be ready and take the plunge.

In the plan

My husband is going on his first mission trip --to an orphanage in Haiti. Soon. He's thrilled to go since he's wanted to help build for years.

Me? I'm thrilled for him too. I know it will be a life changing experience and maybe one we both need right now.

But it makes me wonder why I wasn't as willing to go as well since I was the one who always thought it would be wonderful to be on a foreign mission field.

And now I would rather stay cozy in my own home, with my own bathroom and own brands of food. I asked him this morning if he was apprehensive at all. "No," he said. No long drawn out worries or concerns. I'd have a list a mile long. I do when I drive more than an hour away.

I guess God knows who to call where and when. I know He has a plan in all of this and my part is to stay home this year and pray.

Like any event in our life, I'm excited to see what unfolds next. Are you in the midst of something too?

Traditonal or Self

Elaine asked if I would post on what I know about self-publishing as it seems going the traditional way is often a long hard road.

I've been involved with many authors of self-published books. You can find a few of their covers posted on my blog. Probably the most successful one so far that I'm aware of is the one published by Xulon Press --Women of Passions. Jan and Jeanice have worked hard on their marketing to get their book noticed. I think that's where the success comes into play if you self-publish. Their book even won an award in a category of books published traditionally.

I also have a good friend who published her own book but had another advantage most don't. She owns a huge Christian bookstore and has contacts in the marketing industry so she was able to get a picture and blurb about her book into millions of homes.

I've also know writers who published their own only because they wanted to give it as a gift to family and friends and were happy for that possibility.

I really feel that motive comes into play with both possibilities. If you are looking to get your book out there in more places and bookstores and a bigger realm, I would keep trying to find an agent and sell it that way. If the market isn't taking on what you want to write --for example I read where Chick Lit fiction isn't being taken on right now--then write something that readers will buy or go the route and selfpublish.

As a former Christian bookstore owner, I had dozens of people try to sell me their book to put in the store.I had to turn down most all of them. For one main reason--NOT that their book wasn't any good--but most buyers bought what they saw in ads or were being pushed by the big publishers. Bottom line, I had only so much room for books and they needed to sell to make profit for overhead. So I bought what I thought would sell.

That sounds harsh but I don't mean it to be. If your motive is to have a book in print and you think you have a sound marketing plan, then I would consider self-publishing. If you don't have enough of a platform, audience or reasonable way to sell--then rethink the plan again.

Your book will be advertised on Amazon etc. with many self publishers, but having it there means you have to point people to it. How will you? Do you have a customer base already?

Finally, the choice is the author's. Success stories and failures exist in both realms. Whatever way is chosen, work to get the reader to find you. As I said in an earlier post about blogging, it isn't like the movie--"If you build it, they will come."

Pass on the Positives

You don't have to be published to call yourself a writer. Writing comes in all forms. Each day, I write a quick note in my journal--usually a prayer request or a praise or maybe just a quick update on something significant that happened.

What I've found myself doing during these turbulent economic times is posting a blank sheet on the refrigerator. I call it my Blessing Sheet and no matter what the day brings--I write something good on it that happens. Now it might only be something as simple as I got out of bed that morning without any aches or pains. But it might be as exciting as I heard back from a publisher on an article.

The point of writing things down for myself is to keep focused on the positive--especially with my writing.

It's really easy to listen to the negative and convince yourself that you will never be any good--been there many times. But then one day, you will find your efforts have not been in vain--someone really thinks your work is publishable.

Getting the mail is a big event around here. Yesterday, copies of two of my articles in two separate magazines arrived. Teachers of Vision and Cross and Quill. It's motivating to see your work in print even if you expected it.

This morning I received an email about the yearly contest ACFW holds. I remember a friend of mine placing last year and her success emboldens me to try this year.

That's what this writing journey is all about. Do you have success stories to share to encourage someone else to keep trying?

The Christmas Canine

50% Lab, 50% Plot hound and 100% love, Alice arrived at our home on Christmas Eve—a present for ourselves. Although her reign in her new home lasted only three short days, adopting Ali was the best mistake I ever made but also one of my biggest errors in judgement.

After four hours of walking her across our backyard on Christmas night--begging her to do her thing, my husband and I concluded we were too old to babysit another two-year-old, even if this time it was a dog. What ever made me think another pet would solve our loneliness at the holidays? Instead, I made it worse. After depositing Alie back with her foster parents, we caught a flood of tears with discarded Wendy's napkins.

But I learned a valuable lesson that day--I can't relive the past no matter how much I might try.

Getting a dog at our age was an error in judgement. The experience made me recall other errors of judgement I've made--with my writing career.

Like the time my romance book was accepted--last year on Valentine's day. By September, the publisher kindly let me out of the contract because of some changes in her company. If I had only consulted a lawyer before I signed, I might have seen my book in print next year.

Sometimes I move forward with my heart and not my head.

Thankfully, the outcomes aren't always bad. I lost a tidy sum of money on the dog and I had to tell all my friends that no, there's no book out yet, but isn't that part of life--the lessons we learn?

Hoping we all move forward this week and let go of any bad memories. Write those stories instead of reliving them.

Little updates and this and that

I needed a quickie catch up post today where I don't worry about my writing style or anything like that.
If you go here to CWFI, you will find a blurb about my latest article on blogging that comes out in their writers magazine - Cross and Quill - this month. Think about ordering a subscription as it is a great tool for a writer.

I'm working on a story for Chicken Soup's dog book due by the end of January. So, yes, I actually am writing amidst all of the stuff and changes going on in my life. And yes again, writing does soothe the soul if you can make yourself sit down and concentrate long enough to do it when the world seems to be tipping around you.

I have some other great news to share about how God is blessing this week--but waiting for His timing to do so.

I've also been very blessed to discover some new writers stopping by here this week. Hoping you find some encouragement in your journey to write-- it is a process but so many of us are here in it together and therein lies the joy of knowing fellow writers.

Kiss the fringes of heaven

I met Ed at my first writer's conference. His presence was a sandy beach in a sea of unfamiliar faces.

I remember sitting next to him at one of the first speaking events and watching doodles of caricatures evolve from his notebook.

"You're talented that way too?" I thought as he stood when they asked who'd been published.

For the next few days, our paths crossed here and there--in the hallways and banquet room. A nod, a comment, an encouragement.

Then I returned to Florida.

No, that's not the end of the story. That's where it began.

For almost three years, this kind gentleman writer has encouraged me through email after email. Ed convinced me to write for Chicken Soup and to our thrill, we both got into books around the same time.

Ed is one random writer I met on a random day--but his influence has not been random. God purposed that meeting just as He has the new woman who wrote me today, and the guy who commented on my other blog and the lady I met last year at the conference.

All for a reason.

I wanted to end this post with some recent encouragement I received from my writer friend, Ed.

Soar in the milky way, kiss the fringes of heaven and swoop down on this hurting planet with outstretched arms covered in the golden dust of God's eternal hope. This is my prayer for you.

Don't ever take your writer friends for granted--who wouldn't want to receive a prayer like that?

Finding the cold spot

Last night when my husband and I finally crawled into bed, we did as we always do--stretched our toes toward the bottom of the blankets in search of relief from the warm Florida nights.

"Ahhh, I found the cold spot, " Curt said first. I wriggled my feet around searching for my own little patch of heaven. When I finally connected with another piece of cool sheet, I let out my own sigh--much like I did yesterday when I read the comments you all left on my last post.

The header on my blog says I'm an inspirational writer. I enjoy encouraging others on how to balance their writing with their lives. What I forgot is sometimes I need that encouragement myself.

Thank you for being the kind of writers who leave no one behind--even when we are having some down days or dealing with rejections or juggling a change in relationships around us. So many reasons to give up writing. It doesn't take much to throw away the dream.

I got a phone call today about a job--I have to call tomorrow to see about an interview. It isn't the one I'd hoped for but it's a call and that means a way to future dreams. It also means a huge change in my life. Am I up for it?

With friends like you, I know I am.

Whispers for the New Year

All over the Internet, people are listing their resolutions for the new year.

Well, you won't find a list like that on my blog today. You won't even find any promises from me to write or submit more.

What you will find is a short story of how to listen when God whispers in your ear.

I'm really really happy 2009 finally arrived. If I'd had a choice, I'd have cancelled out 2008 and jumped forward to now months ago. But I couldn't.

My story is the same story thousands of people all over the country are experiencing today. Lost jobs, lost wages, lost savings, lost hope.

My final low hit me in December when I recognized that not only my husband needed to find work again but I needed to get a job, too until his business kicked in.

I know, so what? People work and so have I for most of my life. People also work and write.

But I found myself grieving none-the-less(is this one word or what?) for the loss of my dream of writing whenever I wanted to. I also wondered why God would do this to me at this time in my life.

It's easy to listen to the negative thoughts--you'll be too tired to write . . . you aren't any good anyways so what does it matter ?. . . My, how my thoughts took off!

But I listened and told myself I was done with the dream. It had been nice while it lasted but life goes on and since we are now in survival mode, I need to do what I need to do.

Did I mention how I like to wallow in my sorrow?

Dec. 31. I pulled a letter out of the mailbox and noted it was from a new lady in my writers' group. She'd sent me another story to critique as she doesn't own a computer.

I didn't want to but something pulled at me so I sat down in my patio chair and began to read. Her words entranced me. This unpublished writer's story touched my soul with it's beauty. And all she had asked of me was a quick critique. I was thrilled to see her progress.

Then on Friday, I opened a devotional my friend Donna had given me to read. I almost dropped the book--the woman's story could have been my own! The writer's husband had lost his job and she was forced to deal with her conflicting emotions of returning to work--thinking no one would hire her, she would miss her children . . .I wanted to email her and tell her how I understood!

Two different stories written by two completely different writers. But each one delivered their own special message to me.

A whisper from God. A whisper about my dream.

No, you won't read any resolutions today that I will write x-amount of words or finish my WIP this year. What you will find is my promise to listen to God's whisperings each day. And if He whispers for me to write--you can be sure I will.

We have a new year ahead of us and who knows what it will bring . . . some of us might see our deepest dreams come true and others of us might have to pull ourselves out of the muck and mud a few times . . . but if we listen . . .anything is possible.